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The Cleveland Clinic is taking a closer look at breast cancer prevention.
The Cleveland Clinic is participating in STAR, a clinical trial comparing
the effectiveness of tamoxifen with raloxifene for breast cancer prevention.
Tamoxifen is a drug that has been studied for more than 20 years and is approved
by the U.S. Food and drug Administration (FDA) for reducing the incidence of
invasive breast cancer in women at high risk for the disease.
It has been suggested that raloxifene, although not as thoroughly researched,
is similar to tamoxifen and may have the same ability. Both of these drugs have
been show to protect bone in women. Raloxifene has been approved by the U.S. FDA
for the prevention of osteoporosis in postmenopausal women.
STAR is being conducted by the National Surgical Adjuvant Breast & Bowel
Projects (NSABP) and is supported by the National Cancer Institute (NCI).
The Cleveland Clinic is one of 192 medical centers in the United States
participating in the world’s largest breast cancer prevention trial. Women who
are considered to be at increased risk for developing breast cancer should call
the Cleveland Clinic Cancer Answer Line for a free breast cancer risk assessment
at 216/444-7923 or toll-free 800/862-7798.
The following risk factors are strongly related to the disease and can alert
you and your physician to the need for careful follow-up:
- A family history of breast cancer; especially in your mother, sister(s)
or daughter(s)
- Age (In general, the older you are, the greater your risk.)
- Never having borne a child
- Having your first child after age 30
- First menstrual period at an early age
- A history of benign breast disease that required biopsies
- Other breast conditions: lobular carcinoma in situ (LCIS) or atypical
hyperplasia.
Why should you participate in STAR?
In STAR, two drugs, tamoxifen and ralixifene, will be compared for their
effectiveness in reducing the occurrence of breast cancer in postmenopausal
women age 35 or older who are at increased risk for the disease.
In this trial, medical professionals committed to fighting breast cancer will
carefully monitor your health. Taking part in STAR is one way you can take an
active role in your own future health. You also will be a partner in a study
that is contributing to medical knowledge about ways to decrease the occurrence
of cancer in the future generations of women.
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